Slot machine and playing method of slot machine

ABSTRACT

A slot machine includes a first display, a second display, and a controller. In a base game, the first display rearranges a plurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas. The second display is disposed adjacent to the first display, and displays an effect image in the base game. The controller displays an image related to a decision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game astride the first display and the second display in a case of shifting a game from the base game to the bonus game and executing the bonus game.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-285271, filed on Oct. 19, 2006, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine configured to allow aplayer to play a game by using a game medium such as a coin, and to aplaying method of the slot machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, in a facility in which a slot machine is placed, a playercan play a game by inserting a variety of game mediums such as coins andbills into the slot machine. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133,the slot machine provides a payout in response to a winning occurringwhile the game is advancing.

A conventional slot machine is disclosed in Austrian Patent PQ 6296.This slot machine executes, as a subsidiary game that is a shiftdestination from a base game, a free game in which an effect tosuperpose a character image and a symbol displayed on a defined area ofa video reel on each other is made. However, this slot machine is poorin entertainment factor, and accordingly, it is desired that a slotmachine with a higher entertainment factor is developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machineexcellent in entertainment factor and a playing method of the slotmachine. More specifically, it is the object of the present invention toprovide a slot machine capable of displaying such an effect as enhancingplayer's expectations in a bonus game, and to provide a playing methodof the slot machine.

In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present inventionprovides a slot machine including: a first display on which a pluralityof symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas are rearranged in abase game; a second display on which an effect image is displayed in thebase game, the second display being disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and a controller operable to display an image related to adecision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game astride thefirst display and the second display in a case of shifting a game fromthe base game to the bonus game and executing the bonus game.

In accordance with the slot machine according to the present invention,the image related to the decision of the payout amount of game mediumsin the bonus game, which is different from the plurality of symbols andthe effect image, is displayed, in the bonus game, astride the firstdisplay on which the plurality of symbols arranged on the plurality ofdefined areas are rearranged in the base game and the second display onwhich the effect image is displayed in the base game.

Therefore, in the bonus game, the first display and the second displaycan be allowed to display such an effect as deciding the payout amountof game mediums in the bonus game in a new mode that does not exist inthe base game, in which the effect display is made by the image relatedto the decision of the payout amount of game mediums. Accordingly, suchan effect as enhancing the player's expectations can be displayed in thebonus game, and the entertainment factor can be enhanced.

In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present inventionprovides a slot machine including: a first display on which a pluralityof symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas' are rearranged in abase game; a second display on which an effect image is displayed in thebase game, the second display being disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and a controller operable to display images related to adecision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game individuallyon the first display and the second display in a case of shifting a gamefrom the base game to the bonus game and executing the bonus game.

In accordance with the slot machine according to the present invention,the images related to the decision of the payout amount of game mediumsin the bonus game, which are different from the plurality of symbols andthe effect image, are displayed, in the bonus game, individually on thefirst display on which the plurality of symbols arranged on theplurality of defined areas are rearranged in the base game and thesecond display on which the effect image is displayed in the base game.

Therefore, in the bonus game, the first display and the second displaycan be allowed to individually display such an effect as deciding thepayout amount of game mediums in the bonus game in a new mode that doesnot exist in the base game, in which the effect display is made by theimage related to the decision of the payout amount of game mediums.Accordingly, such an effect as enhancing the player's expectations canbe displayed in the bonus game, and the entertainment factor can beenhanced.

In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present inventionprovides a slot machine including: a first display on which a pluralityof symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas are rearranged in abase game; a second display on which an effect image is displayed in thebase game, the second display being disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and a controller operable to display an image related to adecision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game on thesecond display in a case of shifting a game from the base game to thebonus game and executing the bonus game.

In accordance with the slot machine according to the present invention,the image related to the decision of the payout amount of game mediumsin the bonus game is displayed on the second display on which the effectimage is displayed in the base game.

Therefore, in the bonus game, the second display can be allowed todisplay such an effect as deciding the payout amount of game mediums inthe bonus game in a new mode that does not exist in the base game, inwhich the effect display is made by the image related to the decision ofthe payout amount of game mediums. Accordingly, such an effect asenhancing the player's expectations can be displayed in the bonus game,and the entertainment factor can be enhanced.

As described above, in accordance with the slot machine and the playingmethod of the slot machine according to the present invention, such aneffect as enhancing the player's expectations can be displayed in thebonus game, and the entertainment factor is enhanced. Accordingly, theslot machine can attract more players, and a new entertainment factorcan be added to the slot machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a display example of an upperimage display panel and a lower image display panel in a bonus game of aslot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing procedure of aplaying method of the slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of the slotmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing symbols displayed on the lowerimage display panel of the slot machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a payout table for deciding apayout amount from the slot machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the slotmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing game execution processing executed in theslot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing symbol decision processing executed in theslot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing bonus game processing executed in the slotmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing bonus game processing executed in a slotmachine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing display examples of anupper image display panel and a lower image display panel in a bonusgame of the slot machine according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing bonus game processing executed in a slotmachine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a display example of an upperimage display panel and a lower image display panel in a bonus game ofthe slot machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing defined areas of each of the slotmachines according to the first to third embodiments of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will be made below of slot machines and playing methods ofthe slot machines according to first to third embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 14.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a display example of an upperimage display panel and a lower image display panel in a bonus game ofthe slot machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. The playing method of the slot machine according to thepresent invention, in which such display as shown in FIG. 1 is performedby the upper image display panel and the lower image display panel, isschematically shown by a flowchart of FIG. 2. A description will be madebelow of schematic operations of the slot machine and the playingmethod, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and a perspective viewof FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the slot machine is started by turning onpower, the slot machine first performs authentication processing (StepS100). In this authentication processing, there is performed initialverification processing at a stage before a base game is started, suchas to whether a program for operating a system operates normally andwhether falsification of the program is not performed.

Next, the slot machine executes the base game (Step S200). This basegame is executed in such a manner that a spin button 23 is pressed by aplayer in a state where the desired number of credits is bet byinserting one or more coins into a coin receiving slot 21, and so on.When the base game is executed, symbols start to be scrolled on a lowerimage display panel 16 on a front surface of a cabinet 11, andthereafter, the symbols are stopped (rearranged). The scroll of thesymbols and the stop (rearrangement) thereof are performed on totally 15defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 (refer to FIG. 14) with a matrix of fivecolumns and three rows, which are provided in an inside of a displaywindow 15 of the lower image display panel 16. Note that suffixes “a” to“e” assigned to the defined areas 28 denote the columns of therespective defined areas 28 provided in the form of matrix, and suffixes“1” to “3” denote the rows thereof.

The slot machine can perform the arrangement and rearrangement of thesymbols on the defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 by a liquid crystaldisplay 17 (corresponding to a first display in claims) provided on abackside of the lower image display panel 16. Moreover, the slot machinecan also perform the arrangement and rearrangement of the symbols on thedefined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 by using mechanical rotation reelsprovided on a backside of the display window 15, instead of the liquidcrystal display 17.

Next, the slot machine determines whether or not to have won the bonusgame (Step S300). Although the bonus game is sometimes called a futuregame, the bonus game including this future game will be genericallyreferred to as the bonus game in this specification.

Then, whether or not the game is to be shifted from the base game to thebonus game as a result of winning the bonus game is determined based onwhether or not symbols becoming a bonus trigger are stopped on a paylineset on the defined areas 28. For example, this payline can be set onfive defined areas (28 a 1 to 28 e 1) on an upper stage, five definedareas (28 a 2 to 28 e 2) on a middle stage, or on five defined areas (28a 3 to 28 e 3) on a lower stage among the three rows of the definedareas. For example, symbols of “APPLE” can be set as the symbolsbecoming the bonus trigger.

When the bonus trigger is established, the slot machine executes thebonus game (Step S400). In the bonus game, the lower image display panel16 and an upper image display panel 33 adjacent to a portion above thesame are used. On a backside of the upper image display panel 33, aliquid crystal display 14 (corresponding to a second display in theclaims) is provided. Then, in the bonus game, the slot machine decides apayout amount of game mediums in response to a content of an imagedisplayed on the lower image display panel 16 by the liquid crystaldisplay 17 and to a content of an image displayed on the upper imagedisplay panel 33 by the liquid crystal display 14.

For example, a payout amount of the game mediums for the symbols of“APPLE”, which are aligned on the payline in the base game and havebecome the bonus trigger, is multiplied by a multiplication factordetermined by the bonus game, whereby the payout amount of game mediumsin the bonus game is decided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the slotmachine rotates and stops one video reel 49 displayed on both of theliquid crystal displays 14 and 17 so as to lie astride the upper imagedisplay panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16. In this case, aboundary between the upper image display panel 33 and the lower imagedisplay panel 16 becomes a substitute for the payline. When the rotationof the video reel 49 is stopped, one of a plurality of themultiplication factors indicated on the video reel 49 displayed astrideboth of the liquid crystal displays 14 and 17 is stopped on theboundary, as the substitute for the payline, between the upper imagedisplay panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16. Hence, the slotmachine sets the payout amount of game mediums in the bonus game in thefollowing manner. Specifically, the payout amount of game mediums forthe symbols of “APPLE”, which have become the bonus trigger, ismultiplied by the multiplication factor on the video reel 49, which isstopped on the boundary between the upper image display panel 33 and thelower image display panel 16.

Note that a method of deciding the payout amount of game mediums inresponse to the content of the image displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 16 by the liquid crystal display 17 and to the content ofthe image displayed on the upper image display panel 33 by the liquidcrystal display 14 is not limited only to such a method as describedabove. For example, a method can also be adopted, in which individualimages are displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper imagedisplay panel 33 and on the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower imagedisplay panel 16, and these image are linked with each other.Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, cube-like symbols onwhich the multiplication factors are indicated can be sequentially movedand scrolled from the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper imagedisplay panel 33 to the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower imagedisplay panel 16.

In this case, if the symbols are individually displayed on the liquidcrystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 and the liquidcrystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16 at the point oftime when such scroll movement of the symbols is stopped, then thepayout amount of credits for the symbols of “APPLE”, which have becomethe bonus trigger, is multiplied by the sum of the multiplicationfactors indicated on the respective symbols, and a value obtainedthereby can be set as the payout amount of game mediums in the bonusgame. Moreover, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, if one symbol lyingastride the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image displaypanel 16 is displayed on both of the liquid crystal displays 14 and 17,then the payout amount of game mediums for the symbols of “APPLE”, whichhave become the bonus trigger, is multiplied by the multiplicationfactor indicated on the symbol concerned, and a value obtained therebycan be set as the payout amount of game mediums in the bonus game.

Note that, when the slot machine performs the arrangement andrearrangement of the symbols on the defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 inthe base game by the mechanical rotation reels provided on the backsideof the display window 15, a display content on a liquid crystal displaydisposed between the rotation reels and the display window 15 just needsto be used as the display content on the lower image display panel 16. Aplayer's field of view for the symbols arranged and rearranged on thedefined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 in the base game can be ensured byturning the liquid crystal display placed between the rotation reels andthe display window 15 into a state of transparent display during thebase game.

The method of deciding the payout amount of game mediums is not limitedonly to the method, which is as described above, of deciding the payoutamount in response to the content of the image displayed on the lowerimage display panel 16 by the liquid crystal display 17 and to thecontent of the image displayed on the upper image display panel 33 bythe liquid crystal display 14. For example, the payout amount of gamemediums can also be decided in response to the content of the imagedisplayed on the upper image display panel 33 by the liquid crystaldisplay 14. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a video reel49-1 displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper imagedisplay panel 33 is rotated and stopped. When the rotation of the videoreel 49-1 is stopped, one of a plurality of multiplication factorsindicated on the video reel 49-1 displayed on the liquid crystal display14 is stopped on a payline 49-2 displayed on the liquid crystal display14 together with the video reel 49-1. Hence, in this case, the slotmachine multiplies the payout amount of game mediums for the symbols ofAPPLE”, which have become the bonus trigger, by the multiplicationfactor on the video reel 49-1, which is stopped on the payline 49-2,thus making it possible to set the payout amount of game mediums in thebonus game.

The indication on the video reel does not have to be, as describedabove, the multiplication factor to be multiplied to the payout amountof game mediums for the symbols of APPLE”, which have become the bonustrigger, but may be the payout amount of game mediums to be paid out inthe bonus game. Moreover, the number of bonus games may be decided inadvance, or may be decided randomly at the time of starting the bonusgame. Furthermore, the number of bonus games may be one or plural.

Thereafter, the slot machine decides the payout amount of game medium inthe bonus game in response to the content of the image displayed on theupper image display panel 33 and to the content of the image displayedon the lower image display panel 16, or in response to the content ofthe image displayed on the upper image display panel 33 (Step S500).Subsequently, the slot machine performs payout processing for the numberof game mediums, which is decided in the above-described processing(Step S600). In such a way, the play of the slot machine is executed.

Next, a description will be made of a construction of the slot machine10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, withreference to a perspective view shown in FIG. 3. This slot machine 10 isplaced in a gaming facility.

In the slot machine 10, a coin, a bill, or electronic value informationequivalent to these is used as the game medium for executing the basegame. However, in the present invention, the game medium is notparticularly limited to these, and for example, a medal, a token,electronic money, and a ticket can be mentioned. No particularlimitations are imposed on the above-described ticket, and for example,a ticket attached with a bar code, which is as described later, can bementioned.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 10 includes the cabinet 11, a topbox 12 installed on the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on thefront surface of the cabinet 11.

The upper image display panel 33 is provided above the cabinet 11, andthe lower image display panel 16 is provided on an upper portion of thecabinet 11. On a substantial center of the lower image display panel 16,the rectangular display window 15 is provided. On the backside of thedisplay window 15, the liquid crystal display (display) 17 using, as adisplay area, the entirety of the lower image display panel 16 isprovided. On a substantial center of the liquid crystal display 17, thedefined area 28 is displayed so as to correspond to the display window15. Specifically, the defined area 28 is divided into the totally 15defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 with the matrix of five columns and threerows (refer to FIG. 14). Hence, when the game is executed, the symbolsare scrolled on the respective defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) ofthe liquid crystal display 17, and the player can visually recognize thesymbols thus scrolled through the display window 15.

On a surface of the lower image display panel 16, a touch panel 69(refer to FIG. 6) is provided. The touch panel 69 is partitioned intoareas formed into a matrix with plural columns and plural rows. Thesepartitioned areas partially correspond to the 15 defined areas (28 a 1to 28 e 3) displayed on the liquid crystal display 17. Specifically,when the player performs an operation of touching each of the definedareas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3), it becomes possible to identify a positionthereof by the touch panel 69.

In this embodiment, a description will be made of the case where thedefined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) provided on the liquid crystaldisplay 17 are formed into the matrix with five columns and three rows;however, the defined areas are not limited to the above-describedmatrix. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a construction to displaythe symbols of the 15 defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 by using themechanical rotation reels instead of the liquid crystal display 17. Inthis case, the rotation reels correspond to the first display in theclaims.

On a portion of the lower image display panel 16, which excludes thedefined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3), a variety of information regardingthe game, an effect image, and the like are displayed by the liquidcrystal display 17 during the game. In particular, on anumber-of-credits display portion 31 located on an upper right of thelower image display panel 16, the number of credited coins is displayedas an image. On a number-of-payouts display portion 32 located on anupper left side of the lower image display panel 16, each relationshipbetween the number of symbols and the number of paid-out coins, which isshown in FIG. 5, or the like is displayed as an image.

Under the lower image display panel 16, there are provided a controlpanel 20 composed of a plurality of buttons 23 to 27 through whichinstructions concerned with advancing of the game are entered by theplayer, the coin receiving slot 21 for receiving the coin into thecabinet 11, and a bill validator 22.

On the control panel 20, there are provided the spin button 23, a changebutton 24, a cashout button 25, a 1-BET button 26, and a maximum-BETbutton 27. The spin button 23 is a button for entering an instruction tostart the scroll of symbols on the respective defined areas 28 (28 a 1to 28 e 3). The change button 24 is a button for use in the case ofrequesting a clerk at the gaming facility to do a money exchange. Thecashout button 25 is a button for entering an instruction to pay out thecredited coins to a coin tray 18.

The 1-BET button 26 is a button for entering an instruction to bet onecoin of the credited coins on the game. The maximum-BET button 27 is abutton for entering an instruction to bet, on the game, the maximumnumber (for example, three) of coins capable of being bet on one game.

The bill validator 22 identifies whether or not the bill is a real one,and receives the real bill into the cabinet 11. Note that the billvalidator 22 may be composed so as to be capable of reading a ticket 39attached with the bar code, which will be described later. On a lowerfront surface of the main door 13, that is, under the control panel 20,berry glass 34 on which a character of the slot machine 10 and the likeare drawn is provided.

On a front surface of the top box 12, the upper image display panel 33is provided. On the upper image display panel 33, the effect image andan image representing an introduction of game contents and anexplanation of a game rule are displayed by the liquid crystal display14 disposed on the backside thereof.

Moreover, on the top box 12, a speaker 29 for outputting sounds isprovided. Under the upper image display panel 33, there are provided aticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display device 37, and akeypad 38. The ticket printer 35 prints, on a ticket, the bar code inwhich data regarding the number of credits, date, an identificationnumber of the slot machine 10, and the like is encoded. Then, the ticketprinter 35 outputs the printed ticket as such a bar code-attached ticket39. The player can play a game on another slot machine by using the barcode-attached ticket 39, and can exchange the bar code-attached ticket39 with bills and the like at a cashier and the like of the gamingfacility.

The card reader 36 reads data from a smart card, and writes data to thesmart card. The smart card is a card possessed by the player, andstores, for example, data for identifying the player and data regardinga history of the games played by the player.

The data display device 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or thelike, and displays, for example, the data read by the card reader 36 anddata entered by the player through the keypad 38. The keypad 38 is usedfor entering an instruction and data regarding issuance of the ticket,and so on.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the symbols scrolled on therespective defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) of the liquid crystaldisplay 17 and then displayed still. As shown in FIG. 4, the respectivesymbols “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, “STRAWBERRY”, “APPLE”, “LOBSTER”, and “CRAB”are scrolled.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a payout table that sets thesymbols stopped on the respective defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3)when the base game is executed, and sets the number of coins to be paidout to the player. As shown in FIG. 5, when five symbols of “APPLE” arestopped on the defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3), this results in thebonus trigger, and the bonus game is executed. Note that, when fivesymbols of “APPLE” are stopped on the 15 defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28e 3), 15 is assigned as the basic number of payout coins to such a stopof five symbols of “APPLE” in the table of FIG. 5. This basic number ofpayout coins is used as a base in the case of deciding a payout amountof the coins in the bonus game.

Moreover, when four symbols of “ORANGE” are stopped, five coins are paidout, and when five symbols thereof are stopped, ten coins are paid out.Furthermore, when three symbols of “PLUM” are stopped, five coins arepaid out, when four symbols thereof are stopped, ten coins are paid out,and when five symbols thereof are stopped, 15 coins are paid out.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the slotmachine shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, a control circuit iscomposed of constituents such as a motherboard 40, a main body printedcircuit board (PCB) 60, a gaming board 50, a sub CPU 61, a door PCB 80,and varieties of switches and sensors. A controller 48 is composed ofthe motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50.

The gaming board 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 51, a ROM55, and a boot ROM 52, which are interconnected by an internal bus, acard slot 53S ready for a memory card 53, and an IC socket 54S ready fora generic array logic (GAL) 54.

The memory card 53 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and stores agame program. The game program includes a symbol decision program. Thesymbol decision program is a program for deciding the symbols (codenumbers corresponding to the symbols) displayed still on the respectivedefined areas 28.

Moreover, the card slot 53S is composed so as to be capable ofinserting/removing the memory card 53 thereinto/therefrom, and isconnected to the motherboard 40 by an IDE bus. Hence, the memory card 53is removed from the card slot 53S, another game program is written intothe memory card 53, and the memory card 53 is inserted into the cardslot 53S, thus making it possible to change a type and content of thegame played in the slot machine 10. The game program includes theprogram concerned with the advancing of the game. Moreover, the gameprogram includes image data and sound data, which are outputted duringthe game.

The CPU 51, the ROM 55, and the boot ROM 52, which are interconnected bythe internal bus, are connected to the motherboard 40 by a PCI bus. ThePCI bus transfers a signal between the motherboard 40 and the gamingboard 50, and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board50. Moreover, the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50 construct thecontroller 48.

The motherboard 40 is composed by using a commercially availablegeneral-purpose motherboard (printed wiring board implemented with basicparts of a personal computer), and includes a main CPU 41, a read onlymemory (ROM) 42, a random access memory (RAM) 43, and a communicationinterface 44.

The ROM 42 is formed of a memory device such as a flash memory, andstores a program such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) to beexecuted by the main CPU 41, and permanent data. When the BIOS isexecuted by the main CPU 41, predetermined initializing processing forperipheral devices is performed, and capture processing for the gameprogram stored in the memory card 53 through the gaming board 50 isstarted. Note that, in the present invention, the ROM 42 may be onecapable of rewriting the contents thereof, or may be one incapable ofsuch rewriting.

In the RAM 43, data and a program, which are for use when the main CPU41 operates, are stored. The RAM 43 can store the game program.

In the RAM 43, data regarding the number of credits, the number ofinserted game mediums and the number of paid-out game mediums in onegame is stored.

To the motherboard 40, there are individually connected the main bodyprinted circuit board (PCB) 60 and the door PCB 80, which will bedescribed later, by USBs. Moreover, a power supply unit 45 is connectedto the motherboard 40.

To the main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80, there are connectedinstruments and devices for generating input signals inputted to themain CPU 41, and instruments and devices, of which actions arecontrolled by control signals outputted from the main CPU 41. The mainCPU 41 executes the game program stored in the RAM 43 based on the inputsignals inputted to the main CPU 41, thereby performing predeterminedcomputational processing to store a result thereof in the RAM 43, andtransmitting the control signals to the respective instruments anddevices for the purpose of control processing for the respectiveinstruments and devices.

To the main body PCB 60, there are connected a lamp 30, the sub CPU 61,a hopper 66, a coin detection unit 67, a graphic board 68, the speaker29, the bill validator 22, the ticket printer 35, the card reader 36, akey switch 38S, and the data display device 37. The lamp 30 turns on ina predetermined pattern based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU 41.

The sub CPU 61 is connected to a video display processor (VDP) 46 andthe touch panel 69. The VDP 46 reads out image data of the symbols,which are stored in an image data ROM 47, generates images to bedisplayed on the respective defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) of theliquid crystal display 17, and outputs the image data to the liquidcrystal display 17.

The touch panel 69 is provided on the surface of the lower image displaypanel 16 shown in FIG. 3, and in the case where the player touches thetouch panel 69 when the touch panel 69 is activated, the touch panel 69senses the touched position. Specifically, the player touches the touchpanel 69 on a position corresponding to each of the 15 defined areas 28(28 a 1 to 28 e 3), thus making it possible to select an arbitrary oneamong the respective defined areas 28.

The hopper 66 is installed in the cabinet 11, and pays out apredetermined number of coins from a coin payout opening 19 to the cointray 18 based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41. Thecoin detection unit 67 is provided in an inside of the coin payoutopening 19, and when detecting that the predetermined number of coinsare paid out from the coin payout opening 19, outputs an input signal tothe main CPU 41.

The graphic board 68 controls displays of images on the upper imagedisplay panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16 based on thecontrol signal outputted from the main CPU 41. On the number-of-creditsdisplay portion 31 of the lower image display panel 16, the number ofcredits, which is stored in the RAM 43, is displayed. Moreover, on thenumber-of-payouts display portion 32 of the lower image display panel16, the number of paid-out coins is displayed.

The graphic board 68 includes a video display processor (VDP) forgenerating image data based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, a video RAM for temporarily storing the image datagenerated by the VDP, and the like. Note that image data for use in thecase of generating the image data by the VDP is included in the gameprogram read from the memory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43.

The bill validator 22 identifies whether or not the bill is a real one,and receives a real bill in the cabinet 11. Upon receiving the realbill, the bill validator 22 outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41based on an amount of the received bill. The main CPU 41 stores, in theRAM 43, the number of credits, which corresponds to the amount of bill,the amount being transmitted by the input signal.

Based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, the ticketprinter 35 prints, on the ticket, the bar code in which the dataregarding the number of credits, the date, the identification number ofthe slot machine 10, and the like, which are stored in the RAM 43, isencoded. Then, the ticket printer 35 outputs the printed ticket as thebar code-attached ticket 39.

The card reader 36 reads the data from the smart card, and thentransmits the read data to the main CPU 41, and writes the data to thesmart card based on the control signal from the main CPU 41. The keyswitch 38S is provided on the keypad 38, and outputs a predeterminedinput signal to the main CPU 41 when the keypad 38 is operated by theplayer. Based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, thedata display device 37 displays the data read by the card reader 36 andthe data entered by the player through the keypad 38.

To the door PCB 80, there are connected the control panel 20, a reverter21S, a coin counter 21C, and a cold cathode tube 81. On the controlpanel 20, there are provided a spin switch 23S corresponding to the spinbutton 23, a change switch 24S corresponding to the change button 24, acashout switch 25S corresponding to the cashout button 25, a 1-BETswitch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26, and a maximum-BETswitch 27S corresponding to the maximum-BET button 27. The respectiveswitches 23S to 27S output input signals to the main CPU 41 when thebuttons 23 to 27 corresponding thereto are operated by the player.

The coin counter 21C is provided in an inside of the coin receiving slot21, and identifies whether or not the coins inserted into the coinreceiving slot 21 by the player are real ones. Coins other than the realcoins are discharged from the coin payout opening 19. Moreover, upondetecting the real coins, the coin counter 21C outputs an input signalto the main CPU 41.

The reverter 21S operates based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, and distributes the coins recognized as the real coins bythe coin counter 21C to a cash box (not shown) installed in an inside ofthe slot machine 10 or to the hopper 66. Specifically, when the hopper66 is filled with the coins, the real coins are distributed to the cashbox by the reverter 21S. Meanwhile, when the hopper 66 is not filledwith the coins, the real coins are distributed to the hopper 66. Thecold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on the backsidesof the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel33, and turns on based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU41.

Next, a description will be made of the processing executed in the slotmachine 10. The main CPU 41 reads out and executes the game program,thereby advancing the game.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing game execution processing. In the gameexecution processing, first, the main CPU 41 determines whether or notone or more coins are bet (Step S11). In this processing, the main CPU41 determines whether or not to have received the input signal outputtedfrom the 1-BET switch 26S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated or theinput signal outputted from the maximum-BET switch 27S when themaximum-BET button 27 is operated. In the case of determining that oneor more coins are not bet, the main CPU 41 returns the processing toStep S11.

Meanwhile, in the case of determining in Step S11 that one or more coinsare bet, the main CPU 41 performs processing for reducing the number ofcredits, which is stored in the RAM 43, in response to the number of betcoins (Step S12). Note that, when the number of bet coins is larger thanthe number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43, the main CPU 41returns the processing to Step S11 without performing the processing forreducing the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43.Meanwhile, when the number of bet coins exceeds an upper limit value(for example, three) of the number capable of being bet on one game, themain CPU 41 moves the processing to Step S13 without performing theprocessing for reducing the number of credits, which is stored in theRAM 43.

In Step S13, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the spin button23 is switched on. In this processing, the main CPU 41 determineswhether or not to have received the input signal outputted from the spinswitch 23S when the spin button 23 is pressed.

In the case of determining that the spin button 23S is not switched on,the processing is returned to Step S11. Note that, when the spin button23 is not switched on (for example, when an instruction telling that thegame will be ended is entered without switching on the spin button 23),the main CPU 41 cancels a result of the reduction in Step S12.

Meanwhile, in the case of determining in Step S13 that the spin button23 is switched on, the main CPU 41 performs symbol decision processing(Step S14). In this symbol decision processing, the main CPU 41 executesthe symbol decision program stored in the RAM 43, thereby deciding thecode numbers at the time when the symbols are stopped. This processingwill be described later in detail by using FIG. 8. Note that, in thisembodiment, a description will be made of the case where one or pluralwinnings are decided from among the plural types of winnings by decidingthe symbols to be displayed still; however, in the present invention,for example, the one or plural winnings selected from among the pluraltypes of winnings may be first decided, and thereafter, a combination ofthe symbols to be displayed still may be decided based on theabove-described one or plural winnings.

Next, the main CPU 41 performs scroll display control processing for therespective defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) of the liquid crystaldisplay 17 (Step S15). This processing is processing for display controlso that the symbols decided in Step S14 can be displayed still after thesymbols start to be scrolled.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the bonus game triggeris established, that is, whether or not five or more symbols of “APPLE”,which become the bonus trigger, are stopped on the 15 defined areas 28(28 a 1 to 28 e 3) (Step S16).

In the case of determining that the bonus trigger is established, themain CPU 41 reads out a program for playing the bonus game from the RAM43, and executes bonus game processing (Step S17), and ends the gameexecution processing. A description will be made later in detail of thebonus game processing by using FIG. 9.

In the case of determining that the bonus game trigger is notestablished (NO in Step S16), the main CPU 41 determines whether or notthe winning is established (Step S18). The establishment of the winningis decided based on the number of such scattered symbols stopped on the15 defined areas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) or on a combination of specificsymbols stopped on the payline. For example, in the case where foursymbols of “ORANGE” are stopped as the scattered symbols as shown inFIG. 5, the payout of five coins occurs.

Then, the main CPU 41 performs payout processing for the coins (StepS19), and ends the game execution processing. Meanwhile, when thewinning is not established (NO in Step S18), the main CPU 41 ends thegame execution processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the stopped symboldecision processing executed in Step S14 of FIG. 7. This processing isprocessing performed in such a manner that the main CPU 41 executes thesymbol decision program stored in the RAM 43.

First, the main CPU 41 executes a random number generating programincluded in the symbol decision program, and thereby selects randomnumber values individually corresponding to the respective symbols fromamong a numerical range of 0 to 255 (Step S31). In this embodiment, adescription will be made of the case of generating the random numbers onthe program (the case of using so-called software random numbers).However, in the present invention, a random number generator may beprovided in advance, and the random numbers may be sampled from therandom number generator (so-called hardware random numbers may be used).

Next, the main CPU 41 decides the symbols to be stopped on the definedareas 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) based on the selected random number values(Step S32).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the bonus game processingexecuted in step S17 shown in FIG. 7. In the bonus game processing,first, the main CPU 41 performs processing for deciding the number ofbonus games (Step S61). This processing can be performed by executingthe random number generating program included in the symbol decisionprogram, or by providing the random number generator in advance andextracting the random numbers from the random number generator (usingthe so-called hardware random numbers). The number of bonus games can bedecided at an arbitrary number from one to ten. Moreover, the number ofbonus games can be predecided, and the processing of Step S61 can beomitted.

After the number of bonus games is decided, the main CPU 41 nextswitches the display content of the liquid crystal display 14 of theupper image display panel 33 and the display content of the liquidcrystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16 from displaycontents for the base game to display contents for the bonus game (StepS62). In such switching, as shown in FIG. 1, an upper half of the videoreel 49 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper imagedisplay panel 33 that is displaying the effect image and the imagerepresenting the introduction of the game contents and the explanationof the game rule. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, a lower half of thevideo reel 49 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the lowerimage display panel 16 that is displaying the image of the combinationincluding five or more symbols of “APPLE” and becoming the bonus triggerand the images of the number-of-credits display portion 31 and thenumber-of-payouts display portion 32. Subsequently, the main CPU 41determines whether or not the spin button 23 is switched on (Step S63).In the case of determining that the spin button 23 is switched on, themain CPU 41 performs rotation display control processing (Step S64). Inthis rotation display control processing in Step S64, the main CPU 41rotates and stops the video reel 49 of FIG. 1, which is displayedastride the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel33 and the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower image display panel16. On a circumferential surface of the video reel 49, the plurality ofmultiplication factors are indicated.

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 of the slot machine 10 according to thefirst embodiment performs payout amount decision processing for decidingthe payout amount of coins (Step S65). In this payout amount decisionprocessing, the multiplication factor is used. The multiplication factoris displayed on both of the liquid crystal displays 14 and 17 across theboundary between the upper image display panel 33 and the lower imagedisplay panel 16 as a result of the rotation display of the video reel49 in Step S64. The boundary is located on the video reel 49 and servesas the substitute for the payline. Then, the basic number (15) of payoutcoins, which is defined for the stop of five symbols of “APPLE” by thetable of FIG. 5, is multiplied by the multiplication factor describedabove, in which the five symbols of “APPLE” become the bonus trigger.Then, the number of coins, which is obtained by the above-describedmultiplication, is decided as the payout amount in the bonus game ofthis time. Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs payout processing ofpaying out the decided payout amount of coins (Step S66).

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 confirms whether or not the executionnumber of bonus games has reached the number decided in Step S61 (StepS67). When the execution number of bonus games has not reached thenumber decided in Step S61 (NO in Step S67), the main CPU 41 returns theprocessing to Step S63. Meanwhile, when the execution umber of bonusgames has reached the number decided in Step S61 (YES in Step S67), themain CPU 41 returns the display content of the liquid crystal display 14of the upper image display panel 33 from the image of the upper half ofthe video reel 49 to the effect image in the base game and the imagerepresenting the introduction of the game contents and the explanationof the game rule. In addition, the main CPU 41 returns the displaycontent of the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower image displaypanel 16 from the image of the lower half of the video reel 49 to theimages in the base game immediately before the game is shifted to thebonus game, which are: the image of the combination including five ormore symbols of “APPLE” and becoming the bonus trigger; and the imagesof the number-of-credits display portion 31 and the number-of-payoutsdisplay portion 32 (Step S68). Then, the main CPU 41 ends the bonus gameprocessing. In such a way, the bonus game is executed.

As described above, in the slot machine 10, when the bonus game triggeris established at the time of executing the base game, and the game isshifted to the bonus game, in each bonus game of which number is decidedto the arbitrary number from one to ten, the video reel 49 in which theplurality of multiplication factors are indicated on the circumferentialsurface is displayed astride both of the liquid crystal displays 14 and17 of the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel16, and the video reel 49 is then rotated and stopped. Then, the payoutamount in the bonus game is decided at the number of coins, which isobtained by the following calculation in which the basic number (15) ofpayout coins is multiplied by the multiplication factor located on theboundary between the upper image display panel 33 and the lower imagedisplay panel 49. In this case, the basic number (15) of payout coins isdefined for the stop of five symbols of “APPLE”, which become the bonustrigger, and the boundary serves as the substitute for the payline.Specifically, in the slot machine 10, the payout amount of coins in thebonus game is changed by the display contents of both of the liquidcrystal displays 14 and 17 of the upper image display panel 33 and thelower image display panel 16 in the bonus game.

Hence, when the bonus game is started, the player can be made interestedin the payout amount of coins in the bonus game. In such a way, theplayer can continue to be interested in the game of the slot machine.

Note that, in the above-described first embodiment, the description hasbeen made of the case where the payout amount of coins in the bonus gameis changed by the content of the image displayed astride the liquidcrystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 and the liquidcrystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16. However, aconstruction can also be made, in which the payout amount of coins inthe bonus game is changed by the contents of the images individuallydisplayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of the upper image displaypanel 33 and the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower image displaypanel 16.

A description will be made of a slot machine according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

The slot machine according to the second embodiment basically has asimilar hardware configuration to that of the slot machine 10 of thefirst embodiment. Hence, the description made with reference to FIGS. 3,4 and 6 while assigning the reference numerals to the respectiveconstituents will also be used for a basic construction of the slotmachine 10, which is related to an exterior appearance and insidethereof, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

The slot machine 10 according to the second embodiment is different fromthe slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment in content of apart of the processing executed mainly by the main CPU 41. Withreference to a flowchart of FIG. 10, a description will be made below ofa processing procedure of the processing executed by the main CPU 41 ofthe slot machine 10 of the second embodiment, in which a portion of theprocessing in the second embodiment is particularly different from thatof the processing executed by the main CPU 41 of the slot machine 10according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedureaccording to a modification example of the bonus game executed by theslot machine 10 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. In the slot machine 10 according to the second embodiment,the respective processes of Step S62, Step S64, Step S65 and Step S68 inthe bonus game execution processing performed by the main CPU 41 of theslot machine 10 according to the first embodiment, which is shown inFIG. 9, are changed to the respective processes of the following StepS101, Step S102, Step S103 and Step S104 as shown in FIG. 10.

Then, after deciding the number of bonus games in Step S61 of FIG. 9, asshown in FIG. 10, the main CPU 41 switches the display content of theliquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 and thedisplay content of the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower imagedisplay panel 16 from the display contents for the base game to thedisplay contents for the bonus game (Step S101). In such switching, asshown in FIG. 11A, the cube-like symbol on which the multiplicationfactor is indicated is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of theupper image display panel 33 that is displaying the effect image and theimage representing the introduction of the game contents and theexplanation of the game rule. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11A, thecube-like symbol on which the multiplication factor is indicated is alsodisplayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower image displaypanel 16 that is displaying the image of the combination including fiveor more symbols of “APPLE” and becoming the bonus trigger and the imagesof the number-of-credits display portion 31 and the number-of-payoutsdisplay portion 32.

Moreover, in the case of determining in Step S63 of FIG. 9 that the spinbutton 23 is switched on, the main CPU 41 performs rotation displaycontrol processing as shown in FIG. 10 (Step S102). In the rotationcontrol processing of Step S102, the main CPU 41 scrolls downward thesymbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the lower imagedisplay panel 16, and scrolls downward the symbol displayed on theliquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33.Thereafter, the main CPU 41 stops both of the symbols. During suchscroll, with regard to the symbol displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 17 of the lower image display panel 16, a portion thereofextending off from a lower edge of the lower image display panel 16gradually comes not to be displayed, and before long, the entirety ofthe symbol comes not to be displayed on the lower image display panel16. Moreover, with regard to the symbol displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 14 of the upper image display panel 33, a portion thereofextending off from a lower edge of the upper image display panel 33gradually comes to be displayed on an upper portion of the liquidcrystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16, and before long,the entirety of the symbol comes to be displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 16 instead of coming not to be displayed on the liquidcrystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33.

Note that, when the symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 ofthe lower image display panel 16 is scrolled downward, and the displayis performed so that the entirety of the symbol can extend off from thelower edge of the lower image display panel 16, it is also possible tomake an effect as follows. Specifically, prior to such display, thesymbol (cube) concerned is cracked and broken from a portion oflightning, whereby the downward scroll of the symbol is started.

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs payout amount decision processingfor deciding the payout amount of coins (Step S103). In this payoutamount decision processing, the basic number (15) of payout coins, whichis defined for the stop of five symbols of “APPLE”, the symbols becomingthe bonus trigger, in the table of FIG. 5, is multiplied by themultiplication factor indicated on the symbol displayed on the liquidcrystal displays 14 and 17 of the upper image display panel 33 and thelower image display panel 16 as a result of the scroll display of thesymbol in Step S102. Then, the number of coins, which is obtained by theabove-described multiplication, is decided as the payout amount in thebonus game of this time. Here, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the symbolsare displayed individually on the respective liquid crystal displays 14and 17, the number of coins obtained by multiplying the basic number(15) of payout coins by the sum of the multiplication factors indicatedon the respective symbols is decided as the payout amount in the bonusgame of this time. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11B, when one symbol isdisplayed astride both of the liquid crystal displays 14 and 17, thenumber of coins, which is obtained by multiplying the basic number (15)of payout coins by the multiplication factor indicated on the symbolconcerned is decided as the payout amount in the bonus game of thistime.

Moreover, in the case of determining that the execution number of bonusgames has reached the number decided in Step S61, as shown in FIG. 10,the main CPU 41 returns the display content on the liquid crystaldisplay 14 of the upper image display panel 33 from the image of thecube-like symbol on which the multiplication factor is indicated to theeffect image in the base game and the image representing theintroduction of the game contents and the explanation of the game rule.In addition, the main CPU 41 returns the display content of the liquidcrystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16 from the image ofthe cube-like symbol on which the multiplication factor is indicated tothe images in the base game immediately before the game is shifted tothe bonus game, which are: the image of the combination including fiveor more symbols of “APPLE” and becoming the bonus trigger; and theimages of the number-of-credits display portion 31 and thenumber-of-payouts display portion 32 (Step S104). Then, the main CPU 41ends the bonus game processing. In such a way, the bonus game isexecuted.

In the slot machine 10 according to the second embodiment, which isconstructed as described above, when the bonus game trigger isestablished at the time of executing the base game, and the game isshifted to the bonus game, in each bonus game of which number is decidedto the arbitrary number from one to ten, the symbols on which themultiplication factors are indicated are displayed individually on theliquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 and theliquid crystal display 17 of the lower image display panel 16, arescrolled downward, and then are stopped. Then, the payout amount in thebonus game is decided at the number of coins, which is obtained by thefollowing calculation in which the basic number (15) of payout coins ismultiplied by the multiplication factors indicated on the symbolsdisplayed on the respective liquid crystal displays 14 and 17 of theupper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16. Inthis case, the basic number (15) of payout coins is defined for the stopof five symbols of “APPLE”, which become the bonus trigger.Specifically, in the slot machine 10, the payout amount of coins in thebonus game is changed by the display contents of the respective liquidcrystal displays 14 and 17 of the upper image display panel 33 and thelower image display panel 16 in the bonus game.

Hence, also in the slot machine 10 according to the second embodiment,in a similar way to the slot machine 10 according to the firstembodiment, the player can be made interested in the payout amount ofcoins in the bonus game when the bonus game is started. In such a way,the player can continue to be interested in the game of the slotmachine.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the description hasbeen made of the case where the payout amount of coins in the bonus gameis changed by the contents of the images displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 14 of the upper image display panel 33 and the liquid crystaldisplay 17 of the lower image display panel 16. However, a constructioncan also be made, in which the payout amount of coins in the bonus gameis changed by the content of the image displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 14 of the upper image display panel 33.

A description will be made of a slot machine according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

The slot machine according to the third embodiment basically has asimilar hardware configuration to those of the slot machines 10 of thefirst and second embodiments. Hence, the description made with referenceto FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 while assigning the reference numerals to therespective constituents will also be used for a basic construction ofthe slot machine 10, which is related to the exterior appearance andinside thereof, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

The slot machine 10 according to the third embodiment is different fromthe slot machines 10 according to the first and second embodiments incontent of a part of the processing executed mainly by the main CPU 41.With reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12, a description will be madebelow of a processing procedure of the processing executed by the mainCPU 41 of the slot machine 10 of the third embodiment, in which aportion of the processing in the third embodiment is particularlydifferent from those of the processing executed by the main CPUs 41 ofthe slot machines 10 according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedureaccording to a modification example of the bonus game executed by theslot machine 10 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention. In the slot machine 10 according to the third embodiment, therespective processes of Step S62, Step S64, Step S65 and Step S68 in thebonus game execution processing performed by the main CPU 41 of the slotmachine 10 according to the first embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 9,are changed to the respective processes of the following Step S111, StepS112, Step S113 and Step S114 as shown in FIG. 12.

Then, after deciding the number of bonus games in Step S61 of FIG. 9, asshown in FIG. 12, the main CPU 41 switches the display content of theliquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 from theeffect image for the base game and the image representing theintroduction of the game contents and the explanation of the game ruleto an image of the video reel 49-1 (refer to FIG. 13) in which theplurality of multiplication factors are indicated on the circumferentialsurface and of the payline 49-2 (Step S111).

Moreover, in the case of determining in Step S63 of FIG. 9 that the spinbutton 23 is switched on, as shown in FIG. 12, the main CPU 41 performsrotation display control processing for rotating and stopping the videoreel 49-1 of the liquid crystal display 14 (Step S112).

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs payout amount decision processingfor deciding the payout amount of coins (Step S113). In this payoutamount decision processing, the basic number (15) of payout coins, whichis defined for the stop of five symbols of “APPLE”, the symbols becomingthe bonus trigger, in the table of FIG. 5, is multiplied by themultiplication factor on the video reel 49-1 stopped on the payline 49-2as a result of the rotation display of the video reel 49-1 in Step S112.Then, the number of coins, which is obtained by the above-describedmultiplication, is decided as the payout amount in the bonus game ofthis time.

Moreover, in the case of determining in Step S67 of FIG. 9 that theexecution number of bonus games has reached the number decided in StepS61, as shown in FIG. 12, the main CPU 41 returns the display content onthe liquid crystal display 14 of the upper image display panel 33 fromthe image of the video reel 49-1 and the payline 49-2 to the effectimage in the base game and the image representing the introduction ofthe game contents and the explanation of the game rule (Step S114).Then, the main CPU 41 ends the bonus game processing. In such a way, thebonus game is executed.

In the slot machine 10 according to the third embodiment, which isconstructed as described above, when the bonus game trigger isestablished at the time of executing the base game, and the game isshifted to the bonus game, in each bonus game of which number is decidedto the arbitrary number from one to ten, the video reel 49-1 in whichthe plurality of multiplication factors are indicated on thecircumferential surface is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 ofthe upper image display panel 33. Then, the video reel 49-1 is rotatedand stopped. Then, the payout amount in the bonus game is decided at thenumber of coins, which is obtained by the following calculation in whichthe basic number (15) of payout coins is multiplied by themultiplication factor located on the payline 49-2 displayed on theliquid crystal display 14 when the video reel 49-1 is stopped. In thiscase, the basic number (15) of payout coins is defined for the stop offive symbols of “APPLE”, which become the bonus trigger. Specifically,in the slot machine 10, the payout amount of coins in the bonus game ischanged by the display content of the liquid crystal display 14 of theupper image display panel 33 in the bonus game.

Hence, also in the slot machine 10 according to the third embodiment, ina similar way to the slot machines 10 according to the first and secondembodiments, the player can be made interested in the payout amount ofcoins in the bonus game when the bonus game is started. In such a way,the player can continue to be interested in the game of the slotmachine.

Note that, in each of the above-described embodiments, the descriptionhas been made of the case where the liquid crystal display 14 is used asthe second display in the upper image display panel 33; however, otherdisplays such as a CRT and a plasma display are also usable instead ofthe liquid crystal display 14. Moreover, except the case of making theconstruction to display the 15 defined areas 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 by usingthe mechanical rotation reels, the other displays such as the CRT andthe plasma display are also usable instead of using the liquid crystaldisplay 17 as the first display also in the lower image display panel16.

As above, the description has been made of the slot machine and theplaying method of the slot machine according to the present inventionbased on the illustrated embodiments. However, the present invention isnot limited to the embodiments, and the constructions of the respectiveportions can be replaced by arbitrary constructions having functionssimilar thereto.

For example, the controller 48 in the present invention can be composedof a CPU that performs processing in accordance the programs, like themain CPU 41 of the motherboard 40 and the CPU 51 of the gaming board 50in the slot machine 10 in each of the first to third embodiments;however, besides the above, a part of the controller 48 can also becomposed, for example, of a custom integrated circuit (IC) such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a digital signalprocessor (DSP).

1. A slot machine comprising: a first display on which a plurality ofsymbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas are rearranged in abase game; a second display on which an effect image is displayed in thebase game, the second display being disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and a controller operable to display an image related to adecision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game astride thefirst display and the second display in a case of shifting a game fromthe base game to the bonus game and executing the bonus game.
 2. A slotmachine comprising: a first display on which a plurality of symbolsarranged on a plurality of defined areas are rearranged in a base game;a second display on which an effect image is displayed in the base game,the second display being disposed adjacent to the first display; and acontroller operable to display images related to a decision of a payoutamount of game mediums in a bonus game individually on the first displayand the second display in a case of shifting a game from the base gameto the bonus game and executing the bonus game.
 3. A slot machinecomprising: a first display on which a plurality of symbols arranged ona plurality of defined areas are rearranged in a base game; a seconddisplay on which an effect image is displayed in the base game, thesecond display being disposed adjacent to the first display; and acontroller operable to display an image related to a decision of apayout amount of game mediums in a bonus game on the second display in acase of shifting a game from the base game to the bonus game andexecuting the bonus game.
 4. The slot machine according to claim 1,wherein the controller allows mechanical reels to rearrange the symbolson the respective defined areas of the first display in the base game,and allows a liquid crystal display disposed in front of the mechanicalreels to display the image on the first display in the bonus game. 5.The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the controller allowsmechanical reels to rearrange the symbols on the respective definedareas of the first display in the base game, and allows a liquid crystaldisplay disposed in front of the mechanical reels to display the imageon the first display in the bonus game.
 6. The slot machine according toclaim 1, wherein indication of a multiplication factor to be applied topayout of the game medium is included in the image related to thedecision of the payout amount of game mediums in the bonus game, and thecontroller changes a payout amount of the game mediums, the payoutamount being predetermined for a combination of symbols becoming atrigger to shift the game to the bonus game among the symbols rearrangedon the first display in the base game immediately before the game isshifted to the bonus game, to a payout amount obtained by multiplyingthe predetermined payout amount by the multiplication factor thusindicated.
 7. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein indicationof a multiplication factor to be applied to payout of the game medium isincluded in the image related to the decision of the payout amount ofgame mediums in the bonus game, and the controller changes a payoutamount of the game mediums, the payout amount being predetermined for acombination of symbols becoming a trigger to shift the game to the bonusgame among the symbols rearranged on the first display in the base gameimmediately before the game is shifted to the bonus game, to a payoutamount obtained by multiplying the predetermined payout amount by themultiplication factor thus indicated.
 8. The slot machine according toclaim 3, wherein indication of a multiplication factor to be applied topayout of the game medium is included in the image related to thedecision of the payout amount of game mediums in the bonus game, and thecontroller changes a payout amount of the game mediums, the payoutamount being predetermined for a combination of symbols becoming atrigger to shift the game to the bonus game among the symbols rearrangedon the first display in the base game immediately before the game isshifted to the bonus game, to a payout amount obtained by multiplyingthe predetermined payout amount by the multiplication factor thusindicated.
 9. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the stepsof: rearranging, in a base game, a plurality of symbols arranged on aplurality of defined areas of a first display; displaying, in the basegame, an effect image on a second display disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and displaying an image related to a decision of a payoutamount of game mediums in a bonus game astride the first display and thesecond display in a case of shifting a game from the base game to thebonus game and executing the bonus game.
 10. A playing method of a slotmachine comprising the steps of: rearranging, in a base game, aplurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas of a firstdisplay; displaying, in the base game, an effect image on a seconddisplay disposed adjacent to the first display; and displaying imagesrelated to a decision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus gameindividually on the first display and the second display in a case ofshifting a game from the base game to the bonus game and executing thebonus game.
 11. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the stepsof: rearranging, in a base game, a plurality of symbols arranged on aplurality of defined areas of a first display; displaying, in the basegame, an effect image on a second display disposed adjacent to the firstdisplay; and displaying an image related to a decision of a payoutamount of game mediums in a bonus game on the second display in a caseof shifting a game from the base game to the bonus game and executingthe bonus game.
 12. The playing method of a slot machine according toclaim 9, further comprising the step of: allowing a liquid crystaldisplay disposed in front of mechanical reels to display the image onthe first display in the case of executing the bonus game, wherein themechanical reels perform the step of rearranging the symbols on therespective defined areas of the first display in the base game.
 13. Theplaying method of a slot machine according to claim 10, furthercomprising the step of: allowing a liquid crystal display disposed infront of mechanical reels to display the image on the first display inthe case of executing the bonus game, wherein the mechanical reelsperform the step of rearranging the symbols on the respective definedareas of the first display in the base game.
 14. The playing method of aslot machine according to claim 9, wherein indication of amultiplication factor to be applied to payout of the game medium isincluded in the image related to the decision of the payout amount ofgame mediums in the bonus game, and the playing method further comprisesthe step of changing a payout amount of the game mediums, the payoutamount being predetermined for a combination of symbols becoming atrigger to shift the game to the bonus game among the symbols rearrangedon the first display in the base game immediately before the game isshifted to the bonus game, to a payout amount obtained by multiplyingthe predetermined payout amount by the multiplication factor thusindicated.
 15. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim10, wherein indication of a multiplication factor to be applied topayout of the game medium is included in the image related to thedecision of the payout amount of game mediums in the bonus game, and theplaying method further comprises the step of changing a payout amount ofthe game mediums, the payout amount being predetermined for acombination of symbols becoming a trigger to shift the game to the bonusgame among the symbols rearranged on the first display in the base gameimmediately before the game is shifted to the bonus game, to a payoutamount obtained by multiplying the predetermined payout amount by themultiplication factor thus indicated.
 16. The playing method of a slotmachine according to claim 11, wherein indication of a multiplicationfactor to be applied to payout of the game medium is included in theimage related to the decision of the payout amount of game mediums inthe bonus game, and the playing method further comprises the step ofchanging a payout amount of the game mediums, the payout amount beingpredetermined for a combination of symbols becoming a trigger to shiftthe game to the bonus game among the symbols rearranged on the firstdisplay in the base game immediately before the game is shifted to thebonus game, to a payout amount obtained by multiplying the predeterminedpayout amount by the multiplication factor thus indicated.